PRAIRIE GROVE -- It's a story with a happy ending and a testament to why people should get their animals microchipped.
Robert and Carrin Devor of Pea Ridge were reunited with their rescue dog, Buford or "Boo," in Prairie Grove last week after he had been missing for six to seven years.
Friends of Prairie Grove Pound was able to help identify the owners of Boo by scanning his microchip.
"This is what makes what we do the reason for what we do," said Lesa Lyle Bement, president of Friends of Prairie Grove Pound, as she and other members watched the reunion.
Sharon Glover with the Friends' organization said there was no doubt Boo belonged to the Devors. As soon as the couple got out of the car and called the dog's name, it was obvious he knew them, Glover said.
Laura Jones of Prairie Grove picked up the chocolate lab along Greasy Valley Road. The dog was not wearing a collar and it appeared he had been dumped along the road, Jones said. The dog immediately jumped into her car. He was in good health and seemed to be well taken care of, Jones said.
It was discovered the dog had a microchip and when the chip was scanned, the information showed it had been inserted 10 years ago, in 2006. The phone number for the chip, however, had been disconnected. Glover said the chip was registered to Faithful Friends, a rescue in Bella Vista. She called Faithful Friends and a representative was able to look back through records and find a name associated with the chip.
Soon, Glover received a phone call from Carrin Devor.
"I think you have my dog," Devor told Glover.
This happened Tuesday, Nov. 1 and the Devors drove to Prairie Grove the same night to pick up their long-lost pet.
Carrin said Boo belonged to their son, who attends vet school at Oklahoma State University. They got him as a rescue dog from Faithful Friends when he was about one year old.
The dog turned up missing six to seven years ago. Rumors were circulating at the time that people were driving around taking dogs, Carrin said.
The family tried all avenues to find the dog. Carrin said she called police departments and pounds and rescues. They answered ads about possible sightings and drove up into Missouri looking for Boo.
"We totally gave up," Carrin Devor said.
As the couple left to take Boo home, Carrin said her first call would be to her son to tell him about his dog. She didn't want to call until she was sure.
Boo returned to a home with 11 acres, another chocolate lab and two great Pyrenees, all rescue dogs.
General News on 11/09/2016